Whats the difference between Residence and Domicile?
RESIDENCE – The place of general abode; principal, actual dwelling place in fact, without regard to intent (emphasis added). DOMICILE (“legal residence”) – Black’s Law Dictionary, Sixth Edition, defines domicile as “A person’s legal home. That place where a man has his true, fixed, and permanent home and principal establishment, and to which whenever he is absent he has the intention of returning (emphasis added)(Smith v. Smith, 206 Pa. Super. 310) A person may have more than one residence but only one domicile. The legal domicile of a person is important since it, rather than the actual residence, often controls the jurisdiction of the taxing authorities and determines where a person may exercise the privilege of voting and other legal rights and privileges.” If you desire to establish your domicile in a new state, you may be required to show intent by taking certain actions such as: • Registering to vote in the new state; • Purchasing residential property or a residential lot; • Titl
